The BBC Performing Arts Fund is a charity funded through revenue from the voting lines of BBC One entertainment programmes such as ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, ‘Over the Rainbow’ and this year ‘The Voice’ will be raising money through their voting lines. The fund has been running since 2003 and has already awarded over £3.8m worth of grants – seeking out and supporting aspiring performing arts...
KATHLEEN FERRIER CENTENARY YEAR This year the Kathleen Ferrier Society are celebrating the centenary of the life and work of Kathleen who was born at Higher Walton, near Blackburn, on 22nd April 1912. Kathleen became a singer of international renown but never lost contact with her roots in the North West of England which both shaped her personality and provided many formative musical experiences. My first contact with the Kathleen...
The Crosby Hall Educational Trust (CHET) was founded in 1988 to establish a residential educational centre through the conversion of the historic stables and farm buildings at Crosby Hall. After a period of fund-raising during which generous contributions were received from a wide variety of sources, the building work commenced at the end of 1989 and was finally completed in March 1991. The Centre was opened by HRH The Princess Margaret on 8th...
Following the ‘Giulio Cesare’ performances that took place at the Grand Theatre in Leeds, it was a brand new experience for me to be part of a tour with Opera North. It was the first time I had performed an opera in a variety of theatres and it was a fantastic experience. What great theatres they were too! Our first visit was to Nottingham and to the lovely setting of the Theatre Royal. It was built in 1865 and...
Giulio Cesare at Opera North © Tristram Kenton I began rehearsals for Giulio Cesare at Opera North in November 2011, one week after the completion of English National Opera’s production of ‘The Marriage of Figaro’. I had originally been engaged to cover the role of Sesto in the production and was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to perform in the principal role. It was certainly a great transition from my role as...
On 4th February 2012 I performed as part of a concert to mark St Joseph’s Hospice’s 50th anniversary celebrations at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. As always, it was a privilege to perform at home in Liverpool with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and choir and lovely to be a part of an event for such a good cause. Author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce presented the evening and Professor Ian Tracey conducted. The...
A Carol Concert in aid of Clatterbridge Cancer Research took place on the 4th December 2011 at Liverpool’s Anglican Cathedral. The evening featured Christmas carols and festive readings with performances from two local choirs; Stanfield, Merchant Taylors’ Junior Girls’ School Choir and West Kirby Light Opera Society. It was an honour to perform at the event and I loved opening it with one of my favourite carols ‘Oh Holy Night’ by...